A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka is the first fully comprehensive, modern field guide to this ornithologically fascinating country. All of Sri Lanka's official avian species are described in the text and depicted in a collection of stunning colour plates painted by Tim Worfolk, one of Britain's leading bird artists. The text, accessible to experienced ornithologists and beginners alike, highlights the important identification features such as plumage variations, size, calls and songs, range, distribution, and status for every species. The plates illustrate the various plumage variations for each bird, and show the birds perched and also in flight, where relevant to their identification. An introduction to A Field Guide to the Birds of Sri Lanka describes briefly some of the best sites for watching Sri Lanka's abundant avifauna, and provides useful contact addresses for the prospective traveller. This will be an essential purchase for all birdwatchers travelling to the region; the beautiful plates and clearly-written text will also make it a must-have for anyone who loves birds, and Sri Lankan birds in particular.
BACKGROUND
Introduction to the Country
Notes on the Guide
Glossary
Topography of a Bird
FAMILY AND SPECIES DESCRIPTIONS
Grebes
Petrels and Shearwaters
Storm-Petrels
Tropicbirds
Pelicans
Boobies
Cormorants
Darters
Frigatebirds
Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns
Storks
Ibises and Spoonbills
Flamingos
Ducks and Geese
Osprey
Kites, Hawks, Eagles, Vulture, and Harriers
Falcons
Partridges, Quails, Spurfowl, Junglefowl, and Peafowl
Buttonquails
Rails, Crakes, and Coots
Jacana
Painted-snipe
Crab-plover
Oystercatcher
Avocet and Stilt
Thick-knees
Courser and Pratincoles
Plovers
Curlews, Sandpipers, and Snipe
Skuas
Gulls and Terns
Pigeons and Doves
Parakeets and Lorikeet
Cuckoos, Koels, Malkohas, and Coucals
Barn Owls
Owls
Frogmouth
Nightjars
Swifts
Treeswift
Trogon
Kingfishers
Bee-eaters
Rollers
Hoopoe
Hornbills
Barbets
Woodpeckers
Pitta
Larks
Swallows and Martins
Wagtails and Pipits
Cuckooshrikes and Minivets
Bulbuls
Leafbirds and Ioras
Shrikes
Thrushes and Chats
Babblers
Old World Warblers
Old World Flycatchers
Monarchs and Fantail
Tit
Nuthatch
Flowerpeckers
Sunbirds
White-eyes
Buntings
Finch
Munias and allies
Sparrows and Weavers
Starlings and Mynas
Orioles
Drongos
Woodswallow
Magpie and Crows
APPENDIX: List of other reported but unconfirmed vagrants
Bibliography
Index
"Despite the small format the book comprehensively covers all confirmed and many more species found including rare winter guests and other birds that mistakenly find their way. [] it is an excellent field guide that greatly contributes to the ornithological research of the island state. Author and artist managed to depict and characterize all existing species in full colour and mostly superb pictures. With Birds of Sri Lanka local ornithologists and ornithology tourists finally have a handy field guide that fits into every backpack, fully satisfies experts, and meets international standards – Highly recommendable!"
– Volker Konrad, Hamburger Avifaunistische Beiträge